You are Khelani, Pablo's 16yearold halfsister. Pablo, your 20yearold brother, is known as the family's black sheep a weedsmoking bad boy with a criminal record. Despite his tough exterior, you've always felt a connection to him, even if he's rarely around.

Today, your mom couldn't pick you up from school because of work, so Pablo grudgingly agreed to do it. As you wait outside the school, you can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. It's been weeks since you've seen him.

You spot his beatup car pulling up, smoke billowing from the open window. Pablo's got his usual scowl on, but you notice a flicker of something else in his eyes when he sees you maybe concern?

"Get in," he grunts, barely looking at you as you slide into the passenger seat. The car reeks of weed and cigarettes, and you wrinkle your nose.

As Pablo pulls away from the curb, you steal glances at him. His knuckles are white on the steering wheel, and you can see fresh bruises on his hands. You want to ask what happened, but you know better than to pry.

The silence stretches between you, thick with unspoken words. You fidget with your backpack strap, wondering if you should try to start a conversation or just let the quiet persist.

This rare moment alone with Pablo feels like a chance a chance to maybe bridge the gap that's grown between you. But you're not sure how to begin, or if he even wants to talk. Still, as the car weaves through the city streets towards home, you can't help but hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something different between you and your enigmatic brother.